Wellington Water to be replaced by new stand-alone entity next year
Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry.
Photo:
RNZ / Reece Baker
Wellington's troubled water services provider will be replaced with a new stand-alone entity by this time next year, which councils say will be less costly for ratepayers.
Upper Hutt City Council today agreed to back the "reset", which already had the support of Porirua, Lower Hutt and Wellington City Councils and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry, who chairs the Wellington Water Committee, welcomed today's "milestone", saying the decision marked "a reset for water services in the region".
Unlike Wellington Water, the new entity would own the water infrastructure that was currently owned by councils, which meant it would be able to generate its own income, manage its own debt, and "not be constrained by council funding".
"The new entity unlocks the financial tools needed to make smart investments in water infrastructure, without placing an unsustainable burden on ratepayers.
"It will enable better decision-making across the entire network and ensure more consistent service delivery."
Turning around "historical underinvestment" in water infrastructure would take time and water bills would still increase under the new entity to meet the needs of the region's ageing network, he admitted.
However, high-level modelling showed that any rise in water charges would be about 30 percent less than what households would face under the current model.
"Our main goal is to introduce a new way of delivering water services that allows for more investment in the network with an entity that is more efficient; while keeping costs more affordable and sustainable over the long-term," Barry said.
The entity will be governed by a board of independent professional directors who will be appointed by a steering committee of council and iwi representatives.
The decision comes as part of the government's Local Water Done Well reform, which requires councils to decide on a long term water services model and submit delivery plans by September 2025.
The new entity will take over the ownership and management of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure by 1 July 2026.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
7 hours ago
- Scoop
Lower Hutt Mayor Welcomes New Water Entity Reset For The Region
Wellington's metropolitan councils have agreed to form a new jointly owned water services entity that will be more efficient, reliable, and deliver greater value for money. Upper Hutt City Council was the final partner to vote in favour of the new entity today, following earlier support from Porirua, Lower Hutt and Wellington City Councils and Greater Wellington Regional Council. The new entity will take over the ownership and management of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure by 1 July 2026. Unlike Wellington Water, the new entity will own the water infrastructure that is currently owned by councils. The entity will be able to generate its own income, manage its own debt, and will not be constrained by council funding. Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry welcomed today's milestone saying the decision marks a reset for water services in the region. "The new entity unlocks the financial tools needed to make smart investments in water infrastructure, without placing an unsustainable burden on ratepayers. "It will enable better decision-making across the entire network and ensure more consistent service delivery." Barry said it was significant that all five councils have come to the table with a shared vision. "It shows we're putting what's best for our ratepayers and residents ahead of parochial politics." Barry said turning around historical underinvestment in water infrastructure will take time and water bills will still increase under the new entity to meet the needs of the region's ageing network. However, high-level modelling shows that any rise in water charges will be about 30% less than what households would face under the current model. "Our main goal is to introduce a new way of delivering water services that allows for more investment in the network with an entity that is more efficient; while keeping costs more affordable and sustainable over the long-term," Barry said. The entity will be governed by a board of independent professional directors who will be appointed by a steering committee of council and iwi representatives. The primary relationship of the entity will be with its customers (residents) not its shareholders (councils), giving the organisation the independence and accountability to deliver. The decision comes as part of the Government's 'Local Water Done Well' reform, which requires councils to decide on a long term water services model and submit delivery plans by September 2025.
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
Review into Whānau Ora Commissioning funding terms of reference released
Photo: RNZ / Mihingarangi Forbes Terms of reference for a review into Whānau Ora Commissioning funding have been released. The review will be led by Doug Craig, director of the RDC Group consultancy, who recently investigated concerns raised about Manurewa marae. Te Puni Kōkiri set up the independent investigation last week after reports Te Pou Matakana Limited spent up on an ad campaign urging people to switch to the Māori electoral roll, and Pasifika Futures Limited put $770,000 towards the Moana Pasifika rugby team. Concerns have also been raised about contracting decisions and conflicts of interest by a Pasifika Futures senior executive. The review will examine funding plans and Outcome Agreements, conduct interviews with the agencies, and gather advice from public agencies and the Auditor-General on best practice use of public funding. It will report back on: However, the review cannot comment on the competence of individuals involved, "except to the extent this related directly to contract management, or determining any disciplinary matters". The two agencies' commissioning contracts expire today, with four new commissioning agencies beginning contracts on Tuesday. Te Puni Kōkiri policies not related to the review, and the contracts held with Te Pou Matakana, Pasifika Futures, or other agencies are also out of scope. Interim reports will be provided every week, starting this Friday, 4 July - and a final report will be delivered to the ministry for review and comment. The Secretary of Māori Development may then release the final report or a summary of findings. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
9 hours ago
- RNZ News
Revealed: How much supermarket prices have gone up since 2022
Photo: RNZ Whether it is a block of butter or cheese, a kilogram of mince, a dozen eggs or a cooked chook, food prices have gone up rapidly. The latest Stats NZ figures show in the past 12 months food prices have gone up 4.4 percent - the highest increase since December 2023. Over the last three years Checkpoint has been tracking a weekly shop from the same suburb at a Woolworths and PAK'nSAVE supermarket to see just how much things have gone up at the checkout. Photo: RNZ / Louise Ternouth Some of the results are more eye watering than mouthwatering. For over three years, Checkpoint has been tracking the cost of 36 items likely to be in a household's trolley. In May 2022, our first shop at Woolworths Greenlane cost us $238 dollars and $217 at PAK'nSAVE Royal Oak. Today, those same items at Woolworths have shot up to $305 dollars - an extra $67 dollars at the checkout. PAK'nSAVE our shop, now set us back $270, an extra $53 dollars. Compared to our 2022 shop, seasonal vegetables like carrots and cabbage were cheaper. Other items that had come down slightly or stayed the same were Watties baked beans, plain flour, Mightyfresh wheatmeal toast bread and diced tomatoes. But they were mostly exceptions, most of the items on the shopping list cost more. Some shoppers told Checkpoint they have noticed an increase on some items in particular. "Olive oil is really expensive and eggs," said one shopper. "Dairy items I've noticed but even just general fresh fruit and vege." Photo: Jakub Kapusnak for Unsplash Others said meat was on the list. Unsurprisingly, dairy had one of the biggest jumps. At both supermarkets you still could not get a 1kg block of cheese for $10 or less. Though 1kg is now $1 dollar cheaper at Woolworths for $12.49. At PAK'nSAVE a 1kg block stayed much the same at $11.89. Two litres of standard blue top milk were sitting at just under $5 at both supermarkets. In 2022, a 500g block of Woolworths branded butter cost $5.80, now a whopping $8.50. At PAK'nSAVE it was a similar story, in 2022 it was $5.70 for a Pams 500g block, now $8.30. One shopper said their family uses a lot of butter and they were feeling the pinch, "It's been absolutely ridiculous it's almost $10." Others said they bought butter in bulk from Costco to save money "to buy cheaper New Zealand butter in bulk and freeze it rather than buying at the supermarkets." Shoppers queue for butter at Costco Westgate. Photo: Supplied/John Paul R. Bicerra A 50 box of Twinning's Earl Grey tea more than doubled in price at PAK'nSAVE to $7.89. As for a dozen barn eggs, those more than doubled at PAK'nSAVE to $9.59 and $9.50 at Woolworths. The humble beef mince now not so humble at 1kg used to cost $11.99 at PAK'n SAVE, now $18.99. At Countdown, it was up from $14.90 in 2022 to $23.80 now. For some, it is now a luxury among other items they are going without. "Probably meat products and dairy," said one shopper. Others were also leaving those products on the shelves and opting for a butter "blend" and no brand versions. One man said snacks were off the shopping list. "Snack bars and extra things you'd put into kids lunches." One woman said she had left her broccoli and cauliflower out of the shop. Washing and toiletry products also came out far more expensive. Four kilograms of Persil sensitive washing powder was $22 at both supermarkets in 2022, now an extra $13 at Woolworths and $6.50 more at PAK'nSAVE. Huggies size 3 nappies were an extra $10 at PAK'nSAVE and a litre of Palmolive body wash was an extra $5 at Woolworths. For those advising to stock up on staples or frozen to cut costs, rice, noodles, sugar and frozen vegetables - all more expensive. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
